Strata: Stories from Deep Time

The striped “layers of sand, silt, and clay” comprising Earth’s geologic record offer “wisdom that we may carry into our own lives, so long as we know how to read them,” according to journalist Poppick’s solid debut. She covers four periods: around 2.4 billion years ago when oxygen began to appear on Earth; the ice ages scientists believe spanned between 717 million and 635 million years ago; when newly evolved plants transformed the land by creating mud approximately 458 million years ago; and the rise of the dinosaurs as the planet warmed significantly around 252 million years ago. Making a convincing argument that understanding strata can help scientists better respond to climate change, Poppick movingly describes these layers of rock and sediment as “love letters left behind by an aging Earth” that is rapidly changing: “Even as the planet ages and grows sick, its stories persist as constant reminders that return us home.” Throughout, she memorably recounts assisting in geological research in the Arctic and the Australian outback, and provides an impressive look at how scientific ideas take shape and evolve as new data enters the picture, explaining that “stratigraphy offers drafts of stories that must remain open to revisions.” Poetic and passionate, this is science writing with flair. (July)